lossy

3 definitions found

lossy - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  lossy
      adj 1: characterized by or causing dissipation of energy [ant:
             lossless]

lossy - Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (26 May 2007) :

  lossy
  
     <algorithm> A term describing a data compression algorithm
     which actually reduces the amount of information in the data,
     rather than just the number of bits used to represent that
     information.  The lost information is usually removed because
     it is subjectively less important to the quality of the data
     (usually an image or sound) or because it can be recovered
     reasonably by interpolation from the remaining data.
  
     MPEG and JPEG are examples of lossy compression
     techniques.
  
     Opposite: lossless.
  
     (1995-03-29)
  

lossy - Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003) :

  lossy
   adj.
  
     [Usenet]
  
     1. Said of people, this indicates a poor memory, usually short-term.
     This usage is analogical to the same term applied to data compression
     and analysis. "He's very lossy." means that you can't rely on him to
     accurately remember recent experiences or conversations, or requests.
     Not to be confused with a `loser', which is a person who is in a
     continual state of lossiness, as in sense 2 (see below).
  
     2. Said of an attitude or a situation, this indicates a general
     downturn in emotions, lack of success in attempted endeavors, etc.
  Eg,
     "I'm having a lossy day today." means that the speaker has `lost' or
     is `losing' in all of their activities, and that this is causing some
     increase in negative emotions.